This morning during our day of prayer and fasting, I was reminded of the story of Nehemiah. Here was a man who though he was in a fortunate position, as cup bearer to the King he would have lived comfortably, he was still living in exile in a foreign country. Once he heard about the state of Jerusalem, he had a heavy burden on his heart. After much weeping and days of prayer and fasting, he had a vision about how he could personally carry that burden. Of how he could practically be the answer to his own prayers, by being willing to roll his sleeves up and practically put his hands to work.
I have heard a number of sermons on this story over the years, but what struck me today was that as they inspected the ruined walls was that while the timbers were burnt and would have been useless to rebuild with, the stones could be reused. Though the stones may have been blackened by fire, may have been cracked and damaged as they were broken down, they were still useable. They would need to be cleaned and may have needed sharp jagged bits breaking off, but they could once more find a place in the wall. Nehemiah and his team would have spent time lovingly collecting the stones, as they knew that these stones had a purpose to fulfil. I felt a sense that every stone needed to be found, cleaned and repurposed.
I have always thought of the stones as being the prodigals, those who for whatever reason have been hurt and offended in the past by the wider church and who have rejected God and turned their backs on him. What struck me today was that this is also a picture of the numerous church leaders who are feeling burnt and damaged by life, by covid and by the pressures of leadership. They may not have totally given up on God, but they feel removed from him, like the scattered stones of Jerusalem. Not fulfilling their purpose because they aren’t fully connected to their foundations and to the rest of the wall. They feel alone and vulnerable.
In 1 Peter 2, he reminds us that we are living stones that are being built into a spiritual house. That house is the church, a place of welcome, a place of safety, a place where we can be cleaned and repurposed, a place where we can all find peace and fulfilment.
Nehemiah was driven to start the work, even though he didn’t necessarily know exactly how it would all come together. He started with what was before him, with a few people and more joined them. He had opposition, people who were attempting to undermine the vision that he had, but he kept his eyes on the task he’d been given and carried on.
As I write this, it was primarily with Time2 in mind and reflects how though we can’t see how the whole picture is going to happen, we have a burden for church leaders and are attempting to encourage those who are burnt out and hurting, but I am also reminded that it’s a challenge for us all. Nehemiah was burdened and had a heart for others, the first thing he did was to pray, but he realised that being burdened for others (or a situation) isn’t just about having pity, but is about showing love and taking action. Remember, we are blessed to be a blessing to others!
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